Calling all Canadians

I was wondering for those Canadians out there what your experience has been with duties and taxes with the importing of shoes, shirts and suits when buying on-line from other countries? I know the GST will most likely get charged plus a handling fee by Canada Post of $5 but do duties apply to any of these items? Thanks in advance.

Really? I've never really had a problem getting goods from the US. The only issue I've had with ebay or online retailers is a slightly higher shipping fee because the destination of my package is "international." However, on larger or bulky items I can see shipping getting a little out of hand. Â Aaron

Really? I've never really had a problem getting goods from the US. The only issue I've had with ebay or online retailers is a slightly higher shipping fee because the destination of my package is "international." Â However, on larger or bulky items I can see shipping getting a little out of hand. Â Aaron

I am referring to the added customs and duties associated with clothing being imported (as new) from the US to Canada. The actual shipping charges are as you mentioned only slightly more (UPS offers a Ground service to Canada.) JJF

Everything valued over $20 (on the customs slip) is charged tax plus handling. Strangely, sometimes you get tagged with it, sometimes not. It almost seems like it is a roll of the dice. The only real problem I have had is people recording the value of the item as far beyond what I actually paid. For example, I bought a tie via e-bay for $25USD but the seller wrote $100USD on the customs slip. I get charged a $20CDN customs fee. I was not particularly happy about that and am currently trying to see if I can recoup some of it from customs. Of course, good luck getting someone to answer a phone there.

What about NAFTA? The free trade agreement amongst US, Canada & Mexico. I thought goods between the 3 countries flow thru duty-free? I have never been charged custom or duty for things shipped from Canada.

If your package is over $20 CAD ($60 CAD if it is declared as a gift), you have to pay taxes. First you will be charged 10% on the price of the item and then the GST, PST taxes on the total (price + 10%). At that you have to add the $5 of handling. you will find everything there : http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/canadians-e.html

This isn't relevant to Canadia, but... When I've ordered stuff from the UK to be shipped into the US, the customs tag (from the retailer) almost always significantly undervalues the goods. Most recently, I ordered two shirts, a tie and some silk links, probably about $120, and the customs sticker said "shirt, $20.00". Maybe it was pounds, but still.

Grumble...no wonder we have a federal budgetary surplus up here in Canuckistan. Massive taxation, larger than necessary "contributions" to Employment Insurance (with pretty sad benefits) and customs fees. I got a great deal on a hard drive recently but when it came to the door the customs fees were about as much as I paid for the drive. First time in a long time I had to pay duty fees and only because the seller didn't mark it down like he said he would. I ask every American seller to declare the package to be gift or below $20. I have no problem cheating my government since they seem to intent on cheating me. I will pay customs fees no more forever.

What about NAFTA? The free trade agreement amongst US, Canada & Mexico. I thought goods between the 3 countries flow thru duty-free? I have never been charged custom or duty for things shipped from Canada.

NAFTA only applies to goods that are made in the US, Canada or Mexico. These goods can pass duty-free across the border but still can get hit with the federal and provincial sales taxes (14-15%) plus potential customs brokerage fees depending on the method of transport (standard post, UPS, Fedex).

My experience is that almost everything declared at over $100 or so will get taxed. Less than that and it's random. Regarding NAFTA, most goods made in US or Mexico will be duty-free but not necessarily tax-free. That is, you still have to pay GST+PST/HST. Goods not made in North America might get hit with an additional duty depending on country of manufacture and category of item. Also, the customs brokerage fees for UPS, Fedex etc. are ridiculous. They're around $45 (that's on top of the taxes etc you owe). That's why I only accept parcels by USPS / CanadaPost which only charges $5.

this is all correct usa made goods are duty free but not free of GST/PST goods from the uk or imported from the usa that are not usa manufactured goods are subject to duty and everything else but it is so hit and miss sometimes i've ordered shirts from the uk that get to my door without any charges whatsoever other than that canada post $5 parcel charge and other times, i get hit with the whole lot of duty and so forth so you never know what to expect

Also, the customs brokerage fees for UPS, Fedex etc. are ridiculous. Â They're around $45 (that's on top of the taxes etc you owe). Â That's why I only accept parcels by USPS / CanadaPost which only charges $5.

I dont get this... You are saying that if I were to ship goods via USPS the brokerage fees would be significantly lower? In fact the most recent situation was a woman who ordered a coat on sale for her kid and then didnt want to pay the $50 COD charge that UPS had waiting for her when it arrived which effectively killed the bargain on the coat. I assumed that it was the customs fee not the brokerage fee. Please clarify. Thanks in advance. JJF

Besides committing fraud, you are cheating your fellow Canadians, not your government. Don't be so proud.

I hate to get all Ayn Rand here but every dollar the government takes in more than it needs to meet its legitimate expenses is theft. If they want to tax me into penury for all of their social experimentation, they'll have to work for it. Guilt trips don't.